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Tampines signal faith in Raab with three-year deal

SINGAPORE – Eighteen months ago, he was handed the reins of a struggling Young Lions side midway through the S.League season. But even though they eventually finished second-last at the end of the 2015 campaign, their results belied much-improved performances under the charge of Juergen Raab.

Juergen Raab took charge of the Young Lions after head coach Aide Iskandar resigned in June 2015. Photo: S.League.com

Juergen Raab took charge of the Young Lions after head coach Aide Iskandar resigned in June 2015. Photo: S.League.com

SINGAPORE – Eighteen months ago, he was handed the reins of a struggling Young Lions side midway through the S.League season.

But even though they eventually finished second-last at the end of the 2015 campaign, their results belied much-improved performances under the charge of Juergen Raab.

Raab's good work did not go unnoticed and the 58-year-old German, will officially mark his return to Singapore football today (Feb 1) when he signs a three-year contract as the new head coach of Tampines Rovers.

Club chairman Krishna Ramachandra told TODAY that they had kept tabs on Raab since he first came to Singapore and that his familiarity with the Singapore system will be an asset. Raab joined the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) in October 2014, before taking over from Aide Iskandar after the latter resigned as Young Lions head coach in June 2015 following their SEA Games group-stage exit.

“We have always monitored Juergen since he was in Singapore, especially after he had transformed the Young Lions team during his time,” he explained. “That requires a special talent, which includes patience and a willingness to slowly bring out the best in players.”

Raab then returned to Germany to coach seventh-tier FSV Grün-Weiß Stadtroda in the state of Thuringia and the ex-assistant coach of Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach steered them clear of relegation. He became available after leaving Stadtroda at the end of the season last June and will now take over from Akbar Nawas, who left Tampines last week.

The contract duration, almost unheard of in a league that usually doles out one-year deals, indicates the Stags’ faith in their new man.

“Our club has never looked solely at the local scene to determine our best practices and how we inject professionalism through the ranks,” Krishna asserted. “When you bring in a coach to develop a system and a robust coaching philosophy, it will take time. Instituting a longer-term contract prevents unnecessary knee-jerk reactions, especially with a proven talent.

“There is an intangible benefit from stability and longevity of tenure. We recognise that any journey will have its rough patches but we need to see it through.”

In an interview with German news site Ostthueringer Zeitung, Raab commented that he was “very much looking forward” to this new challenge in his career.

“To be offered a contract over three years is also a rarity in today's football business,” he was quoted. “From that, you can see that they are counting on me and are willing to give me the necessary time.”

Tampines finished runners-up by one point to champions Albirex Niigata (S) last season, whom they also lost to in the Singapore Cup final, and Raab hopes he can improve their playing style as they chase glory this season.

“The club chairman wants me to teach the team the European style (of football), so it will be about key aspects like ball possession and dominance,” he said.

Krishna added that the appointment is “in a sense” a homecoming for Raab, who has about three weeks left before his first competitive game, an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup group stage tie against Felda United on Feb 21.

“It is not as if the players have been sitting around - they have been training hard and Juergen will have the time to slowly reshape the team according to his style,” Krishna asserted.

“Yes, it will take time but the AFC Cup group stages is over three months and the S.League campaign is an even longer period… we want him to complete his transformation and contribution to Singapore football, albeit through the Stags.”

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